Dance superstar Michael Flatley makes a beeline for Pat O’Neill’s Style Suite in the Brehon Hotel whenever he’s in town for a show or a public performance.

The two have struck up quite a friendship since the legendary Riverdance frontman first strolled through the salon door during a residency at the INEC some years ago.

And when the 57-year-old American born dancer, choreographer and musician returned this week to Killarney, where he was the VIP guest at the Young Entrepreneurs Programme, he used his Feet of Flames to make off Pat’s Style Suite to ensure his styling was spot-on before he faced the cameras.

“We went for a drink and a chat in the Killarney Park Hotel later than night after he had dinner in Khao on High Street. He is fantastic company and he has great time for everybody in Killarney. He just loves the town and its people,” said Pat who has travelled extensively with some of Flatley’s shows.

Popular Pat was even part of the backstage stylist team for the live recording of Flatley’s new DVD, Dangerous Games, which was filmed at the London Palladium.

The Killarney style expert is equally well known for his prowess on the the soccer fields of Kerry and it is the stuff of local folklore that he has been an ever-present in the annual Killarney 7-A-Side summer tournament for an astonishing 35 years.

But he has resisted the temptation to attempt to recruit Michael Flatley for this year’s over 35 tournament, despite the fact that his fast feet could work wonders on the wing.

Pat O’Neill has been blazing a trail in the hair industry for the last 27 years. He is constantly creating, challenging and changing his styles, while retaining his trademark attribute of client care.

Pat honed his inherent flair for hair at London’s world renowned Vidal Sassoon School of Hairdressing. He received the highly contested honour of Stylist of the Year and was chosen for the position as the Head of the Hair Team in Brown Thomas. At the helm of this prestigious team for 2 years, his expertise, style and trend-setting creations attracted much attention and admiration, and firmly established Pat O’Neill as one of the leading names in Irish hairdressing. Following his successful tenure with Brown Thomas, Pat decided to set up his own business in Killarney, and soon established a loyal and lengthy list of clientéle. All of whom rejoiced when Pat unveiled his latest creation, his exclusive Style Suite at the Brehon Hotel.

Pat’s new role as a wedding consultant and style counsel is a natural progression from years of managing his own salon and listening to what women want. With the opening of his Style Suite,

Pats Tips for troubled hair!

It’s way too long

Über-long hair is a tough look for over-40 women. “I call it the ‘1661’ — a woman’s long hair makes her look 16 from the back, but from the front you see it is not as flattering as it could be and can be ageing”. A universally flattering length: to the collarbone. “A cut that grazes the collar and has face-framing layers also draws attention away from an aging neck,”says Pat O’Neill.

Or it’s way too short

How short is too short? There’s no rule, but keep in mind that the end point of your cut emphasizes the facial feature next to it, says Pat. So if you’re concerned about a sagging jawline, don’t ask for a chin-length bob. And remember that a short ‘do’ isn’t an excuse to hang up your blow dryer. “Too many women think a short cut is a free pass to forgo styling, but when hair has no polish, it can look drab,” Pat says. Cropped styles are modern and youthful when they’re smooth and sleek; if those qualities don’t come naturally to your hair, use a frizz-fighter before styling.

You’ve worn the same cut for years

Embrace change. “If you have the same ‘do’ you had 10 years ago, it’s time for a new look,” “You’re not wearing the same clothes — why have the same hair?” If you’re leery of drastic change, take baby steps. “Something as simple as moving your part can update your look,” says Pat.

You’re afraid to experiment with new ingredients. A slew of anti-agers are debuting in hair products. UNITE products enhance natural luster and shine. They offer cosmetic benefits, like smoothness, shine, and a generally more youthful appearance “The hair cuticle is similar to the top layer of skin, so it makes sense that these ingredients will have beneficial effects on hair and skin.” Try Unite Advanced Haircare Power Moisture Shampoo, with sodium hyaluronate, a common moisture-attracting skin-care ingredient. Hydrates and protects your colour. So -live – free ! free of sulfate, free of paraben.

Your colour looks dull next to your skin

Whether you hit the salon or take the DIY route, subtle tweaks to your colour can make a huge difference. “A woman’s complexion lightens and becomes more translucent as she ages, so what looked great when she was 25 may not look so good when she’s 50,” explains Pat. Think about the hair you had as a child “Go back to that colour family, whether it was blond, brunette, or red. Anything monotone looks severe and aging, so add highlights and multiple tones throughout.” When in doubt, err on the lighter side — dark hues create too harsh a contrast with paling skin.

Your hair could use some fringe

Fringes can camouflage forehead lines (the “Bangtox” effect), but not all do it equally well. “A blunt fringe that hangs straight across the forehead isn’t for everyone. It can emphasize aging features and more mature skin”, “Opt for a side-swept fringe with layers that blend into the rest of your hair; it’ll make your features look soft and youthful.” Be sure that bangs are in proportion to your cut; they work best on shoulder-length styles (any shorter, and your fringe may not stand out from the rest of your hair).

You don’t know how to embrace your grays

Before ditching the dye, determine if gray will be flattering. “When a brunette turns gray, it looks silvery and pretty. But blondes tend to go white, which can make them look pale,” says Pat. Wait until hair is at least 75% gray before growing it out: “Otherwise, it will look like you forgot to colour it.” Then, use smoothing stylers. “Gray hair is wiry and frizzy. Smooth strands make the colour look vibrant”.

You’ve been using the same products for years“As your hair texture changes with age, you need a different formula,” “Strands get drier and coarser, so switch to moisturizing products and avoid anything stripping, like clarifying shampoos.” Plus, there are new ingredients and technology in stylers, so it’s worth experimenting. Try shine enhancers, a newer category of products with reflective ingredients that add luster and smooth the cuticle. Apply on dry tresses as a final styling step.

Your hair lacks volume

Whoever said “thin is in” was not talking about hair. Create volume with the right cut and styling. “Thin hair should be mid-neck length or shorter and have layers throughout,” says Pat. Style with a root booster, like UNITE Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Root Lift Mist, then hold the top sections of your hair straight up as you blow-dry. Colour is another route to lush locks: “Highlights and lowlights add dimension, making hair look thicker, and colouring also temporarily plumps the cuticle.”

On 20th February, 2012 the glitterati of the Irish wedding industry descended on the Crowne Plaza in Dublin for the 3rd Annual WeddingsOnline.ie Awards.

Over 17,000 brides and grooms nationwide voted for their Top 100 Wedding Suppliers and Top 50 Venues, which were then judged by an expert panel based on quality of work and a real wedding experience. Three hundred people attended the gala dinner and awards ceremony. Pat who was Kerry’s only representative fought off stiff competition to claim the title.

“I am thrilled to win this award, especially given that I was up against the best in the country. I hold the other stylists nominated in very high esteem but I am very happy to bring this award to Killarney”. Pat O’Neill has been blazing a trail in the hair industry for the last 27 years. He is constantly creating, challenging and changing styles, while retaining his trademark attribute of client care.

Pat honed his inherent flair for hair at London’s world renowned Vidal Sassoon School of Hairdressing. His natural born ability was evident from the outset and during his training at Sassoon he received the highly contested honour of Stylist of the Year. He was already making a splash! On finishing his training and graduating from Sassoon Pat was chosen from a large number of competitors from across Ireland as Head of the Hair Team at Brown Thomas, Ireland.

At the helm of this prestigious team for 2 years, his expertise, style and trend-setting creations attracted much attention and admiration, and firmly established Pat O’Neill as one of the leading names in Irish Hairdressing, winning many awards on the way.

All rejoiced when Pat unveiled his exclusive Style Suite at the Brehon Hotel in Killarney.
As the bride to be, you are invited to relax and unwind in the beautiful surrounds of this exquisite suite and enjoy a glass of chilled champagne.